A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

by: Coach Mark CasasantoThe varsity captains of the Roman Catholic Soccer Team enjoyed a unique experience this past Monday night. For the first time, they walked together as teammates and friends on the fresh pitch at Shissler Recreation Center in the city’s Fishtown neighborhood. Not all that many years ago, Alex Hartzag, Norman “Boomer” Steigelman and Mark Casasanto (pictured L-R), admittedly didn’t share much love for each other. They played for rival club soccer teams, Hartzag and Steigelman for Fishtown AC and Casasanto for the South Philadelphia Strikers. Prior to Monday, the last time these three footballers took to the field at Blair and Berks together, there were cinders not blades of grass on the playing surface, and there were more arguments, tussles and police than anyone ever wants to see at a youth soccer match. The fact they stand together as friends, teammates and tri-captains of one of the Philadelphia Catholic League’s premier soccer programs is somewhat amusing to them. “Oh yeah, that was an epic match – it put the South Philadelphia Soccer Club on the map” said Casasanto of his team’s improbable semi-final victory that day. Boomer chuckles and adds, “I’ll never forget it – that day was insane. I remember how every goal was scored, the referee calls, the arguments, you name it!”

For all their past history at the ball yard that the locals call “Newt’s” though, in this their senior year of high school, they were able to add another chapter. A much more docile and happy ending, if you will.

In an effort to showcase the neighborhood talent playing in the Roman Catholic Soccer program, and to help give back to the community where so many of Roman’s students hail from, officials from Shissler and Head Coach, Ray DeStephanis along with Assistant Head Coach, Jerry Brindisi, organized the first ever “Roman Day at Shissler”. The coach and his staff brought along the varsity team for a light, pre day of game walkthrough. They then lined the field to cheer on their younger counterparts as the junior varsity and freshmen teams battled Monsignor Bonner in a double header under the lights. All three teams also had dinner at the recreation center prior to the start of the games and participated in the good natured ribbing that tend happen during team dinners with fifty plus hungry athletes.

Thirty minutes before the start of his match, Chris Firman was eager for the opportunity to get out and take to the pitch. “I live right down the street” said the defender. “It’s great to finally come here and play on a nice field. I remember when it wasn’t so great out there.” Firman definitely did his part as he and his JV teammates left the pitch victorious with a 5 nil blanking of Bonner before giving way to the freshmen.

Most freshmen never get the chance to experience the thrill of a big time match under the lights. After all, most of their games are scheduled in the afternoon right after school often making it tough for mom and dad to get out to watch them. On this night however, moms, dads, sisters and brothers were able to show pride in the purple and gold. Danny Shissler (pictured on right), a standout on the freshman squad had another reason to step up and into the spotlight. Shissler Recreation Center is named after his grandfather. In fact, his mom and sister helped to serve the team dinner before coming to the sidelines to root young Danny on to a 3-1 victory over a talented Bonner team. “It’s definitely different to be here as a high school player… thinking about it now, it’s actually pretty cool knowing I’m playing on this field named after my grand pop and that my family is so connected here.”

For Coach DeStephanis (left, in yellow), he was happy to declare the night a success on and off the field. “This was awesome! The sidelines were packed, both our teams won and most of our varsity guys stuck around to help out and support the program” a pleased DeStephanis exclaimed. “Hopefully, we can make this an annual event –it’s great for the school and great for the neighborhood.”